A massive £45,000 distributed to help Harrogate district community groups restart post pandemic through THE LOCAL FUND.
Nineteen local community groups in the Harrogate district were delighted to hear their applications for grants from THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District had been successful. Just over £45,000 was allocated to enable local organisations to restart activities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
All the groups have worked tirelessly throughout the last year, many of them adapting their services to meet the needs of the people they support. This funding enables them to take the next important step.
Successful groups include Boroughbridge and District Community Care who are using their grant to fund the running costs of providing a new minibus service to a farm shop creating regular social activity and purpose for disadvantaged adults who have found themselves very isolated in the last year.
Harrogate District of Sanctuary are using their grant to support refugees and asylum seeks in the area including hiring rooms, employing interpreters, have emergency clothing and furniture, providing children’s activities and creating social events.
Having provided a food delivery service during the pandemic, Resurrected Bites are setting up community grocery services in areas of high need in Harrogate and Knaresborough, offering affordable and nutritious food to those people in need.
Nidderdale & Pately Bridge Men’s Shed is all about improving the mental health and wellbeing of men in rural Nidderdale, addressing isolation and exclusion. Spending money on power tools will ensure the much-enjoyed space is well resourced and continues to be well used.
The full list of grants awarded can be read here. All the successful groups are passionate about reducing inequalities, improving wellbeing and providing a lifeline of activity to local people in the Harrogate district.
THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District was established in 2017 to provide grant funding to local community groups and charities across the district. It is supported by a partnership of Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate & District Community Action and Two Ridings Community Foundation focusing on addressing local need by supporting the work of community groups and charities that improves the lives of local people.
In this round of funding we are very grateful that the pot available for grants has been supported generously from local business Full Circle Funerals and their Full Circle Fund and contributions from supporters of THE LOCAL LOTTO.
THE LOCAL LOTTO is a great fundraising opportunity for local voluntary and community groups, which enables Harrogate district residents to support the local organisations they care about most. Money raised through THE LOCAL LOTTO contributes greatly towards keeping the community sector thriving across the district.
Local businesswomen Sarah Jones of Full Circle Funerals is new to THE LOCAL FUND panel, she said.
“It has been incredibly humbling to discover the hard work that is going on behind the scenes by local community groups to rebuild after the pandemic and we are delighted to have been able to contribute some much needed financial support to help put some of these inspiring plans into action.”
Jan Garrill, Chief Executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation said:
“Thanks to Harrogate Borough Council and local supporters like Full Circle Funerals, I am so pleased we could fund 19 projects in this latest grants round of THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District. All the projects funded are working so hard to help local people safely reconnect, get active and be social again, whatever their circumstances.
“I'd urge anyone wanting to make a real difference in their community to get involved by donating to THE LOCAL FUND or making the most of our current match funding opportunity.”
Designed to encourage local giving, THE LOCAL FUND gives a long-term source of funding support and encouragement to the work of community organisations, regardless of size, tackling a wide range social issues.
Even with changes to local government boundaries THE LOCAL FUND is part of a legacy from Harrogate Borough Council, and will continue, always for the benefit of local people.
Now is the time to invest in the people of Harrogate District.
For individuals or businesses wanting to give back and invest in the Harrogate area, now is the perfect time. For the next 12 months, having secured a generous £200k endowment fund from Harrogate Borough Council, Two Ridings will match fund any donation made to THE LOCAL FUND, in effect doubling any investment.
Get in touch directly with Two Ridings Community Foundation’s Chief Executive Jan Garrill to discuss this jgarrill@tworidingscf.org.uk
Councillor Sam Gibbs, chair of Harrogate Borough Council’s voluntary and community sector liaison group and LOCAL FUND grants panel member, said:
“THE LOCAL FUND provides continuous support for our local voluntary and community sector organisations and charities across the Harrogate district and the residents they support.
“It has been another incredibly tough year for them. And now, more than ever, it is critical these charities receive vital funds to ensure they can restart their activities and continue supporting as many people as possible.”
To find out more about the fund and the grants made please visit https://www.tworidingscf.org.uk/fund/tlfharrogate/
